Bird carving

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by J Dagger, Feb 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM.

  1. J Dagger

    J Dagger Well-Known Member

    Image search likes it for Ghana, a sankofa bird. This doesn’t give me a big urge to argue. I don’t see any others from Ghana with the neck ruffage, babies/eggs, or that kinda PNW eye. Not with the feathers on the breast carved how they are either. Granted I didn’t look at a million of them. Anyone disagree with Ghana? I did have a small sliver of hope it was PNW. I like it either way though. 1D58C3C3-6408-434A-815B-548A95EABDCE.jpeg B3BA23CB-138C-4F73-9CD1-4E602DC7C203.jpeg A552D00D-6C0B-4C74-9D30-8B5CBAC571D0.jpeg
     
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  2. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    It reminds me of "the Pelican in Her Piety".

    [​IMG]

    The pelican (yes, I know, it doesn't look like our idea of a pelican) was thought to wound her own breast to feed her young with her blood, seen as symbolism for the sacrifice made by Jesus.
     
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  3. J Dagger

    J Dagger Well-Known Member

    Interesting thought. I’ve had an item or two bearing a pelican in her piety. Never crossed my mind here! I do pick up what you’re laying down now. Not convinced that was the intention, but I certainly see it now.
     
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  4. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    That's a very nice bird, any way you look at it...Thanks!
     
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  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I do.;) It is a bird carving from Elcho Island, Australia.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2026 at 3:55 AM
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

  7. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Hey, Elcho Island art is not to be sneezed at!:mad::playful:
    I had two Elcho Island T-shirts as a teen, would have loved to have a carved bird, but my pocket money wouldn't allow it.

    Mind you, I did buy a Gloria Fletcher/Thancoupie bark painting, which I had saved for for years. Thancoupie was also kind enough to give me one of her ceramic pendants. She was a beautiful person with a big heart.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2026 at 4:09 AM
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  8. J Dagger

    J Dagger Well-Known Member

    How interesting! Very unlikely I’d have come to this conclusion on my own! I’ll look forward to digging into a bit of reading on Elcho Island and its crafts tomorrow. You’re correct I’d never even heard of it. Thanks
     
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  9. J Dagger

    J Dagger Well-Known Member

    Thanks! Glad you dig it. I fell for it immediately. Very elegant form for a relatively primitive carving. Great color too.

    Sadly the base broke during shipping. The owner packed it pretty damn well for an amateur packer and the box wasn’t crushed. I think it must have had a natural weakness (or one that happened in production) and got banged just right. Luckily it was one piece and a clean break. Some super glue got it back together without a massive eye sore. Definitely takes a slice out of potential value though. I’m enjoying hanging it on display.
     
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  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Similar birds originally topped some of Elcho Island's "totem poles", which had the same bright earthy colours and the fluff symbolizing stars. I used to see them when I lived in Oz, but can't find any photo's online.

    In the link is a photo of "Morning Star Poles" (no birds), with some beckground info:
    https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/stories/banumbirr-morning-star-poles-australia/
     
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